Historic NCAA reforms to Division I athletics could translate into higher expenses for Arizona's universities.

The reforms approved Thursday by the NCAA board of directors give the five biggest conferences the ability to change some of the rules for college sports.

This could mean a big difference on everything from scholarships to health care for student athletes at the 65 schools in the richest conferences, which includes Arizona State University and the University of Arizona in the Pac-12.

Athletic directors say it's too soon to say what the changes will be or how much they will cost. But some of the ideas, such as more lucrative scholarships, $2,000 annual stipends for athletes and better health care for injured players, would mean higher operating costs for athletic programs.

The 16-2 decision is still subject to a 60-day period when it could be overridden if enough schools object.

The board's chairman, Wake Forest University President Nathan Hatch, called the vote a significant step into a "brighter future" for Division I athletics.

The association that oversees college athletics has been under fire on a number of fronts as athletes, college presidents and watchdog groups debate how to make the college experience better for student athletes.

College presidents in the Pac-12 Conference wrote a letter to the other four biggest conferences in May, expressing what they called an urgency for bold actions.

The presidents, who include ASU President Michael Crow and UA President Ann Weaver Hart, are pushing for larger scholarships, medical care for injured athletes and fewer out-of-season competitions and practices.

ASU's Anderson said the proposed changes are necessary for college sports to keep up with an evolving society.

"There is still a lot of work to do. You have to go back and construct legislation that incorporates some of the thinking in how to make the student-athlete experience better," said Anderson, who will be one of 65 representatives to the NCAA from the power conferences.

Under the reforms approved Thursday, the five wealthiest conferences — the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and the SEC — will hold nearly twice as much voting power as any ­other group on a newly created council.

The council will have the ability to approve or reject most of the legislation.

The five leagues will also have until Oct. 1 to create a "wish list" of issues they want to handle on their own.

Critics, though, worry that the impact will create an even greater split between wealthy leagues and everyone else.

"I think it's going to be great for those five conferences, and that's about it," said Gerald Gurney, president of the Drake Group, an NCAA watchdog. "I don't think it's going to be a good step for non-revenue sports or for Title IX. We are going to get into a new phase of competition, and there will be no holds barred."

The impact on the bottom line is not yet known.

Most universities subsidize their athletic departments, with only men's football and basketball turning a profit.

ASU's athletic department brought in $65.6 million in fiscal 2013, of which $10 million was a subsidy from the university in the form of cash and tuition waivers for athletes.

A large concrete beam is removed from the stadium's south endzone. @natemorris75

The newest rendering of renovated Sun Devil Stadium, released in March by Arizona State University, is the closest yet to what the completed project will look like in fall 2017. Rendering: ASU athletics

A view of Sun Devil Stadium's south endzone on May 13, 2015, as seen from the Hunt Construction live camera. Renovations to the 57-year-old stadium are expected to cost $256 million. Photo: Hunt Construction

Construction at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Saturday, April 25, 2015. The project is being completed in three phases to allow the football team to continue to play there. Photo: Michael Schennum/The Republic

Existing concourses will be demolished and rebuilt along with restrooms and concession stands. ASU envisions the new facility will provide more flexibility
for functions that go beyond game days like weddings and
receptions. Photo: Michael Schennum/The Republic

The first phase of construction includes removal of the upper-bowl seating on
the northwest and northeast sides of the stadium. The first phase is expected to
wrap up in August 2015. This shows construction on April 25, 2015. Photo: Michael Schennum/The Republic

ASU says public funds aren't being used to finance the project. Debt will be paid through increased stadium revenue, private contributions, Pac-12 Conference
distributions and revenue from a 330- acre athletic facilities district that will be developed along Tempe Town Lake. Photo: Michael Schennum/The Republic

A construction worker cuts the supports holding the video booth from the top of the north end zone at the start of the renovation of ASU's Sun Devil Stadium on Monday, April 14, 2014. Photo:Charlie Leight/The Republic

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

For the first time, ASU students will be required to pay a $150-a-year athletic fee, which is expected to generate $10 million a year.

Both ASU and UA are also bringing in more money through Pac-12 television contracts.

UA generated $70 million in athletic revenue in fiscal 2013, which included $7 million in support, mostly in the form of tuition waivers for athletes.

UA Athletic Director Greg Byrne said the NCAA reforms could result in future changes that could affect the athletic department's bottom line. UA has 20 sports, of which two turn a profit: men's basketball and football.

"The money is going to have to come from somewhere," he said. "I hope we're able to make good, solid decisions that will still allow us to have all the opportunities we currently have."